# NTSB NYC05CA023: Piper PA-28-180, N33061, Appomattox, VA, November 26, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 26, 2004, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Appomattox, VA - Coordinates: 37.25111, -78.834724 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2511&lon=-78.8347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60631 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05CA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60631/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA023 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The flight progressed without incident until on approach to land. On final, the airplane began to settle, and then touched down approximately 25 yards short of the runway. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot reported no mechanical difficulties with the airplane, and examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact failures or malfunctions. ## Factual narrative On November 26, 2004, about 1330 eastern standard time, N33061, a Piper PA-28-180, was substantially damaged during landing at the Highview Farms Airport (94VA), Appomattox, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed Falwell Airport (W24), Lynchburg, Virginia, destined for Highview Farms Airport. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, the flight progressed without incident until on approach to land at Highview Farms Airport. The airplane was approximately 25 yards from runway 33, when it began to settle. The airplane touched down short of the runway, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane skidded to a stop. During the accident sequence, the airplane struck some railroad ties, and several approach and runway lights. The pilot reported to the Safety Board that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions or failures. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, examination of the wreckage revealed the left main landing gear had separated from the airframe, and the left main wing spar was damaged. A weather observation taken 24 minutes after the accident at the Falwell Airport, which was located approximately 17 nautical miles southeast, recorded the weather as: wind variable at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 46 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.20 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33061](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33061), registered now, S/N 28-7505116, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7505116 - Airframe hours: 2046 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Albert C. Brandt - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 2004, 25 hours before - Departed: W24, Lynchburg, VA - Destination: 94VA, Appomattox, VA - Airport: 94VA, Highview Farms Airport, runway 32, 2,200 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 6, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,252 total, 530 in this make and model, 1,140 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: LHY ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20041126034919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041126034919A), Nov 26, 2004: Piper PA28180, Appomattox, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) Airman states he was landing to northwest on a grass strip, as he had done many times before. Although the wind was light and variable, he felt the… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.